Joshua to face Finland’s Helenius as Whyte replacement

British heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua gestures during his weigh-in at the O2 arena ahead of his bout with Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, in London on September 24, 2021.  (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

Anthony Joshua will fight Robert Helenius in London on Saturday after the Finnish boxer was parachuted in as a late replacement for Dillian Whyte.

The scheduled all-British heavyweight bout was cancelled last weekend when “adverse analytical findings” were detected in a doping test conducted by Whyte, who has vowed to clear his name.

Helenius, 39, fought in his homeland on Saturday but has answered the call to take on the former two-time world heavyweight champion.

“This wasn’t in the script,” said Joshua. “I respect Helenius and, may I say, I respect any male or female who steps into the ring.

“I am laser-focused on the win. I can make steps forward to bigger and better things, but the road map has a checkpoint—Saturday night. May the best man win.”

Helenius, who has 32 wins and four defeats from his 36 professional bouts, was knocked out in the first round by Deontay Wilder in October.

“I am a true Viking that is willing to face any challenge at a moment’s notice,” said Helenius.

“This is not an opportunity I was going to let slip away. I plan to make the most of it!”

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